77R8000 CAS-F
By Telford, Longoria, Howard, H.B. No. 946
King of Parker, Hopson, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 946:
By Grusendorf C.S.H.B. No. 946
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to character education programs in public schools.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
1-5 amended by adding Section 29.903 to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 29.903. CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM. (a) A school
1-7 district may provide a character education program.
1-8 (b) A character education program under this section must:
1-9 (1) stress positive character traits, such as:
1-10 (A) courage;
1-11 (B) trustworthiness, including honesty,
1-12 reliability, punctuality, and loyalty;
1-13 (C) integrity;
1-14 (D) respect and courtesy;
1-15 (E) responsibility, including accountability,
1-16 diligence, perseverance, and self-control;
1-17 (F) fairness, including justice and freedom from
1-18 prejudice;
1-19 (G) caring, including kindness, empathy,
1-20 compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, and charity;
1-21 (H) good citizenship, including patriotism,
1-22 concern for the common good and the community, and respect for
1-23 authority and the law; and
1-24 (I) school pride;
2-1 (2) use integrated teaching strategies; and
2-2 (3) be age appropriate.
2-3 (c) In developing or selecting a character education program
2-4 under this section, a school district shall consult with a
2-5 committee selected by the district that consists of:
2-6 (1) parents of district students;
2-7 (2) educators; and
2-8 (3) other members of the community, including
2-9 community leaders.
2-10 (d) This section does not require or authorize proselytizing
2-11 or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious or political
2-12 belief.
2-13 (e) The agency shall:
2-14 (1) maintain a list of character education programs
2-15 that school districts have implemented that meet the criteria under
2-16 Subsection (b);
2-17 (2) based on data reported by districts, annually
2-18 designate as a Character Plus School each school that provides a
2-19 character education program that:
2-20 (A) meets the criteria prescribed by Subsection
2-21 (b); and
2-22 (B) is approved by the committee selected under
2-23 Subsection (c); and
2-24 (3) include in the report required under Section
2-25 39.182:
2-26 (A) based on data reported by districts, the
2-27 impact of character education programs on student discipline and
3-1 academic achievement; and
3-2 (B) other reported data relating to character
3-3 education programs the agency considers appropriate for inclusion.
3-4 (f) The agency may accept money from federal government and
3-5 private sources to use in assisting school districts in
3-6 implementing character education programs that meet the criteria
3-7 prescribed by Subsection (b).
3-8 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002
3-9 school year.
3-10 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
3-11 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
3-12 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
3-13 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
3-14 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.